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Post by hop2 on Apr 25, 2016 22:21:48 GMT
I agree My mom has gotten a ticket in Arizona when she was visiting my sister and had to pay it because she wasn't staying long enough for a court date. I do wish people would learn the laws/rules of other states/countries when they drive in them. We get a lot of people with British Columbia license plates that don't seem to know our laws (or don't want to follow them). The other thread did show me that they might not follow the 'keep right except to pass' law because it seems it's not as common in Canada. But we do have signs up and down I-5 so I'm not sure if they ignore them or if they just drive by and wonder what they mean. That is interesting. I just moved back to L.A. from Vancouver and I thought the laws up there were stricter than here in California. In British Columbia's driver's manual they referenced a "stale" green light. It really confused me. Do you find that California plates are also scofflaws (apart from speeding)? Driving in Maine was a challenge because it felt like the speed limit changed endlessly. Should I go 20 or 30 or 35 or 50? I was afraid to blink lest I miss a sign. That happens in NJ too. Sometimes for valid reasons ( play ground, known animal crossing, farm ) sometimes just because. There's this one spot near washingtons crossing where the road is 45 then suddenly 25 for 1/2 mile then 45 again. We have no idea why. And they do wait there too.
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tduby1
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,979
Jun 27, 2014 18:32:45 GMT
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Post by tduby1 on Apr 25, 2016 22:22:09 GMT
I don't understand how this is even a question. If you choose to travel you either A) learn the laws of your destination/area of travel or B) accept the consequences of your actions, i.e. ticket for violating a law you were ignorant of. I know the laws of my state/city etc. I obey them to the best of my ability. When I travel I make myself aware of the laws in general terms. If I were to violate a law, I'd calmly apologize and explain I'm a tourist and was unaware. Then I'd accept my ticket and pay my fine like the adult I am. It is a question because I was curious. the other thread made me realize there was a big variance in left turn lane laws, which I never realized and I wasn't sure if there were any other laws with big variances. We used to drive from MI to OK, which is through many states. (Well DH did, I rode passenger). If road laws varied a lot I wonderd how one would keep track of all the unposted, smaller (if there were any) road laws. I wondered how that was dealt with. I feel as if your bolded above was meant to make me feel stupid for asking a question I didn't know the answer to.
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
Jun 25, 2014 20:06:48 GMT
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Post by freebird on Apr 25, 2016 22:25:49 GMT
Crazy idea... If you're not sure, GET IN THE RIGHT LANE. lol. But yeah, if you go to England and drive on the right because that's how you do it "back home" and kill someone, you're going to be up a creek. It's no one's fault but your own that you aren't following the local laws. I am thinking more about other laws. Car seats are the big one I've thought about. what if my car seat is legal for my child in my state but I will be traveling through 6-7 other states all with differing car seat laws. We are a conceal carry couple and when we travel my car, I check all the states laws beforehand so we don't get arrested! I'd just google the carseat laws in those states. PITA I know, but better safe than sorry. I might even be follow the strictest laws the whole time just to be covered.
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
Jul 8, 2014 20:17:31 GMT
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Post by scrapaddie on Apr 25, 2016 22:42:00 GMT
Questions? Must move if driving slower than normal traffic---- from where to where? Left lane for turns only. .... On a freeway? On regular roads? Weak or no laws? I think perhaps a title or caption is missing...
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Post by justkat on Apr 25, 2016 22:44:50 GMT
I don't understand how this is even a question. If you choose to travel you either A) learn the laws of your destination/area of travel or B) accept the consequences of your actions, i.e. ticket for violating a law you were ignorant of. I know the laws of my state/city etc. I obey them to the best of my ability. When I travel I make myself aware of the laws in general terms. If I were to violate a law, I'd calmly apologize and explain I'm a tourist and was unaware. Then I'd accept my ticket and pay my fine like the adult I am. It is a question because I was curious. the other thread made me realize there was a big variance in left turn lane laws, which I never realized and I wasn't sure if there were any other laws with big variances. We used to drive from MI to OK, which is through many states. (Well DH did, I rode passenger). If road laws varied a lot I wonderd how one would keep track of all the unposted, smaller (if there were any) road laws. I wondered how that was dealt with. I feel as if your bolded above was meant to make me feel stupid for asking a question I didn't know the answer to. tduby1, I was in no way trying to make you feel stupid for asking a question. I apologize that it came across that way. I'm sorry. I read the original post as basically asking if ignorance of the law is ever an acceptable reason for violating the law. Given the attitude of the original poster of the thread for which yours is a spin-off and then you asking your question, I was just surprised that someone (general anyone) could think violating the law is ok because they weren't aware of the law. I didn't mean it in a nasty, rude, name-calling etc way. I'm so sorry I made you feel stupid. Not at all my intention. I apologize for that and for misunderstanding your post. Kat
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Post by refugeepea on Apr 25, 2016 22:49:19 GMT
I suggest that if your traveling thru other states that you do take a moment and look up the laws on the Internet. There are some places where they DO target out of state plates because they know your not going to want to come back for court. It's easy money. Ive seen it happen. Exactly what I was going to say. I live near the border of another state.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 25, 2016 22:56:57 GMT
Are there really laws that vary so drastically between states? Cell phone usage laws vary wildly from state-to-state right now. In South Carolina in 2014, we even had cities passing their own more restrictive laws, but the state stepped in and made an over-riding law that negated all those.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Apr 25, 2016 22:59:03 GMT
Are there really laws that vary so drastically between states? I know turning right on red can vary and some cities/states might have traffic patterns or features that are more regional (traffic circles, traffic lights at the side and not overhead, merging patterns, don't block the box in NYC, etc). I don't think I have ever studied up on a state's laws before travel, although I fully accept it's my responsibility. If I got a ticket for something I really had no clue about, that's on me and not the officer. I live in Washington and drive in Oregon a few times a year and think the same as you. Yes, I should read the Oregon handbook, but if I received a ticket it would be on me, no one else.
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Post by Sharon on Apr 25, 2016 23:04:52 GMT
In OK, it is not for left turn only. The law says passing but I can tell you during rush hour in OKC both lanes will be used.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Apr 25, 2016 23:07:08 GMT
I agree My mom has gotten a ticket in Arizona when she was visiting my sister and had to pay it because she wasn't staying long enough for a court date. I do wish people would learn the laws/rules of other states/countries when they drive in them. We get a lot of people with British Columbia license plates that don't seem to know our laws (or don't want to follow them). The other thread did show me that they might not follow the 'keep right except to pass' law because it seems it's not as common in Canada. But we do have signs up and down I-5 so I'm not sure if they ignore them or if they just drive by and wonder what they mean. That is interesting. I just moved back to L.A. from Vancouver and I thought the laws up there were stricter than here in California. In British Columbia's driver's manual they referenced a "stale" green light. It really confused me. Do you find that California plates are also scofflaws (apart from speeding)? Driving in Maine was a challenge because it felt like the speed limit changed endlessly. Should I go 20 or 30 or 35 or 50? I was afraid to blink lest I miss a sign. I'm probably the wrong person to ask since I've lived in Illinois and both Northern and Southern California. So even though I was born and raised in Washington and love living here, I find our drivers tend to drive me crazy because it feels they can be overly cautious, which can be just as dangerous depending on the situation! I do remember in the 80's when we used to call a rolling stop a 'California stop' I do notice that often the Washington plates are the ones that mess up the 4 way stops. We even have an insurance commercial about it - you go, no you go People seem to think they are being helpful or nice when they wave someone on to go out of turn, but it actually messes up the flow and timing for everyone. I start watching the intersection before I'm up. So I watch at least 1-2 rounds of cars before me so I know who is next. Until you get that person that messes up the rotation!
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,648
Location: The Grand Canyon
Jun 25, 2014 20:18:39 GMT
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Apr 25, 2016 23:33:05 GMT
Are there really laws that vary so drastically between states? I know turning right on red can vary and some cities/states might have traffic patterns or features that are more regional (traffic circles, traffic lights at the side and not overhead, merging patterns, don't block the box in NYC, etc). I don't think I have ever studied up on a state's laws before travel, although I fully accept it's my responsibility. If I got a ticket for something I really had no clue about, that's on me and not the officer. Child restraint laws varied dramatically 10+ years ago when my kids were little. I don't know if it's as true now. We were typically on the more conservative side anyway, so it wasn't a huge deal for us. Highway speed can vary quite a bit too. You'll eventually hit a sign, but there can be a fair amount of time - so if you're coming from a state with a very high highway speed it behooves you to know what the maximum highway speed is in the state you're traveling through. I really don't think the officers in New Jersey will be understanding to the tourist from Texas who explains that they're used to highways having a maximum of 85 MPH and they just didn't realize it's different than back home and they hadn't hit a posted sign yet. ETA - definitely the handfree or cell phone usage laws vary dramatically! Honestly, I don't know about child restraint laws - I think NY's are pretty strict and that's what we followed/follow anywhere we go. I know highway speeds vary a lot, but since that is signed, I don't worry too much about that. And while some states are stricter on cell phone usage, we think it's good practice to not be distracted by phones no matter the law, so it's irrelevant to us.
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tduby1
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,979
Jun 27, 2014 18:32:45 GMT
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Post by tduby1 on Apr 25, 2016 23:34:57 GMT
It is a question because I was curious. the other thread made me realize there was a big variance in left turn lane laws, which I never realized and I wasn't sure if there were any other laws with big variances. We used to drive from MI to OK, which is through many states. (Well DH did, I rode passenger). If road laws varied a lot I wonderd how one would keep track of all the unposted, smaller (if there were any) road laws. I wondered how that was dealt with. I feel as if your bolded above was meant to make me feel stupid for asking a question I didn't know the answer to. tduby1 , I was in no way trying to make you feel stupid for asking a question. I apologize that it came across that way. I'm sorry. I read the original post as basically asking if ignorance of the law is ever an acceptable reason for violating the law. Given the attitude of the original poster of the thread for which yours is a spin-off and then you asking your question, I was just surprised that someone (general anyone) could think violating the law is ok because they weren't aware of the law. I didn't mean it in a nasty, rude, name-calling etc way. I'm so sorry I made you feel stupid. Not at all my intention. I apologize for that and for misunderstanding your post. Kat No worries. I guess i did ask it in a way as if it was ever "acceptable" but it was more of a "I wonder if there might be a bit more leeway in this situation but not from a "there should be" point of view, if that makes sense? It was just one of those things I have wondered about. Dh always drives when we are in unfamiliar areas and long distances as I am uncomfortable doing both so it isn't really even something that applies to or affect me personally. He's an extremely careful and aware driver.
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Post by justkat on Apr 25, 2016 23:42:08 GMT
tduby1 , I was in no way trying to make you feel stupid for asking a question. I apologize that it came across that way. I'm sorry. I read the original post as basically asking if ignorance of the law is ever an acceptable reason for violating the law. Given the attitude of the original poster of the thread for which yours is a spin-off and then you asking your question, I was just surprised that someone (general anyone) could think violating the law is ok because they weren't aware of the law. I didn't mean it in a nasty, rude, name-calling etc way. I'm so sorry I made you feel stupid. Not at all my intention. I apologize for that and for misunderstanding your post. Kat No worries. I guess i did ask it in a way as if it was ever "acceptable" but it was more of a "I wonder if there might be a bit more leeway in this situation but not from a "there should be" point of view, if that makes sense? It was just one of those things I have wondered about. Dh always drives when we are in unfamiliar areas and long distances as I am uncomfortable doing both so it isn't really even something that applies to or affect me personally. He's an extremely careful and aware driver. It's all good, as they say. :-) Misunderstandings are very easy when trying to communicate online. I'm all for asking questions. I came from Belgium to the US so, were it not for asking questions, my life would be extremely difficult full of missteps and misunderstandings. Thanks for accepting my apology.
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Post by lucyg on Apr 26, 2016 0:57:10 GMT
I admit I don't usually check the laws when I drive in another state. But I also acknowledge I could end up ticketed for doing something I didn't realize was against the law. So I try to cover the obvious bases. Child car seat is up to standards, I am hands-free on the phone, I don't turn right on red unless I know it's okay.
I did not know about that left lane only being for passing thing. They'd get me on that one. To answer your question, OP, I imagine some cops would be understanding and let you off with a warning (which may go into their computer system so if you get stopped again, watch out!) and some would be hard nosed about it. I wouldn't want to count on lenience.
I didn't read most of that big original thread. I thought some of the posts I did read displayed a shocking lack of respect for the law and understanding of how law enforcement works. A moving violation is something you take a chance on every time you don't follow the law to the letter, whether it was by accident or ignorance or just flouting the law. Most of the time you aren't going to get caught. Don't get pissy when it does occasionally happen. Jeez.
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Post by melanell on Apr 26, 2016 1:20:21 GMT
DH & I have had a few conversations about this before, and we both really feel like it would be helpful to US drivers if the driving laws were the same from state to state. Then each individual state could enforce the laws, handle licensing, and maintain roads for their own state and residents.
We both understand why speed limits vary given the lay of the land is different from place to place. But for the actual laws, like how far from a school bus should you stop, or can you turn right on red, and can you travel in the left lane----it would be great to just learn those things and know you're set no matter where you travel in the country.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Apr 26, 2016 1:59:34 GMT
I bought a brand new truck. Brand new--it came without a back bumper, on purpose (we were going to have a special one put on later for trailer). Perfectly legal in our state. Went on vacation was pulled over in Tennessee and given a very expensive ticket for not having a back bumper ( our plates were on back and front). Since then (it's been 20 years) we have NEVER driven through TN again!! Lol
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